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Kwando Safari Vehicles Botswana

Hi all, first post here. Planning a trip self driving in Namibia and then Botswana. Have picked Kwando as they are in our price range. The big problem I have is the seating arrangements on their vehicles. I understand they have two rows of three seats and will fill all the seats most of the time.

We can't afford a private vehicle and guide. We are keen photographers and I video as well. This year in Tanzania we splashed on a private guide in Tarangire and Serengeti. In the Selous we were lucky to get private except for one drive when we were matched with very annoying, chatty, arm waving, boring ........ you know, want to go back to the lodge rather than watch the lions hunt!

Anyway we are travelling end of May to Namibia and arrive in Botswana early June. How do you think we will get on with the shared vehicles and is it considered rude if you don't sit together but one behind the other on the outside???. We plan to stay at Little Kwara, Lagoon and Lebala followed by Muchenje and three nights at Waterberry Lodge. Would appreciate your comments and advice.

Any safari that is not setup for photographers, whether with your own private vehicle or part of a photographic group will probably hinder your photography.

Kwando have actually been running a four person per vehicle rule at Little Kwara. I would get your agent to confirm that this is the case for the other camps.

I spend a lot time at kwando each year, though use private vehicles for my personal and group safaris, so I have not followed up on these concerns.

My main worry would be visiting Botswana in early June, particularly with the current high water levels and heavy rainfall. A trend that is predicted to conitnue into 2012 from reports that I have seen.

Little Kwara as well as Kwara main camp are now using Land Cruisers with a 3 x 3 configuration. The middle seat shall not be used. Maximum of 6 per vehicle. Keeping the Kwando ethos - use of a tracker (very important to a lot of us) and no roof in the private concessions.

Eventually, Lagoon and Lebala will move towards the Land cruisers too ..... no time estimate for that.

If you are keen on videography, best to book a private vehicle as you obviously can't enforce fellow passengers to be quiet all the time.

Since you are staying at Little Kwara, ask for Hobbs. Not sure about his leave schedule and your safari. So, cross fingers!!! He is brilliant!!!!!

How much is it roughly for private. I don't expect people to keep quiet it was the flapping of hat in front of my camera lens that was annoying. I know it might be high water again next year but off peak prices mean can go. Which of the camps would you suggest should be the least effected by high water levels? Thanks

In 2010 they charged me US$ 85,00 per empty seat per day, which will be 340,00 if you´re a party of 2.
Maybe you can talk to your guide to get the seat beside him in front, which may help in a full car. You have a nice low angle but the space for your gear is still restricted.
Thomas

The problem with June is two fold. If there are late or heavy rains, camps in the linyanti area like lebala, suffer from game staying in the woodlands, which are quite dense and difficult to spot game.

Or even the green season for that matter when the Kwara concession comes to full life with access to Tsum Tsum and those mighty cheetah brothers ........

I had some very good luck in the summer at Lebala (Lagoon was closed for the refurb and wasn't available). We had no rains, so saw dogs, cheetah, leopard and one sleeping Lion. Plenty of elephant, general game and birding.

You should be okay end June - particularly with the lagoon dogs either looking for a den or already denning. This year was a bit later to den for whatever reason ....... the light for photography will certainly be very very good.

Kwara - I think Russell and I compare Kwara in it's full element with access to Tsum Tsum (this is when it's at it's best) ...... yet, you will still see something or the other (particularly with regards to Lions which is the strength of the gameviewing there). I think no area of the Delta is without impact nowadays, so i'd say have a good time.

I normally judge the success of my safari wrt quality cheetah sightings. Even without access to Tsum Tsum, i do hear that they have had some very good cheetah sightings this winter (a female with 2 or 3 cubs, i can't remember) ...... i did speak to a guest who was there in August.